WINTER PARK, Fla. – The city of Winter Park is set to discuss the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers at a special meeting on Thursday.
In 2022, the city approved a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers by July 2024.
Danny Loeber is already ahead of the curve when it comes to the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. His company, Mow Quiet, uses all-electric lawn care equipment including a lawnmower, hedge trimmer and of course, a leaf blower.
“My customers definitely enjoy the fact that they can work from home since so many people are working from home now,” Loeber said. “The noise that is caused by the leaf blowers in particular, and all the gas-powered equipment can drive people crazy. So I think that’s what has drawn people to my business.”
The city sent out a survey to landscapers and they tell us 95% were against the measure. Loeber said he’s not surprised by that number.
“It’s like 95% of them are using gas-powered stuff,” Loeber said. “So they’re going to take a big hit and it’s going to take them a little bit longer, potentially to do their yards if they have, like, the most powerful stuff. But I haven’t ever used gas, like I said, so it’s hard for me to say what the huge differences are, but I’m able to do all my stuff and I don’t even have the highest grade electric things that you can have.”
Even though Loeber’s business is already in compliance, he can understand the impact this would have on other companies using gas-powered equipment.
“I know there are a lot of people that are going to be struggling because of this but I can sympathize with them as well,” Loeber said.
The city tells us they made the change back in 2022 to reduce noise and air pollution. City officials will hold a special meeting on Thursday. Feb. 1, at 9 a.m. to discuss a 6-month extension on the July 2024 deadline.
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